Bourbon Offshore Asia inaugurates training centre

The French offshore operator BOURBON has inaugurated the Bourbon training centre Asia and its AHTS simulator in Singapore in the premises of Bourbon Offshore Asia. The opening of this second Bourbon training centre in Asia follows the opening of the Manila?s (Philippines) centre in October 2007 dedicated to Dynamic Positioning (DP).

This BOURBON Training Centre includes an AHTS vessel simulator that represents an outstanding technological advance and an opportunity for BOURBON and the

marine industry as a whole to raise its operational, safety and quality standards. This simulator is a new version with parameters notably featuring the Bourbon Liberty 200

characteristics, a modern diesel-electric and versatile AHTS vessel equipped with state-of-the art technology. The first Bourbon Liberty 200 vessel is expected to be delivered in January 2009.

The training centre Asia aims to train all AHTS crew members of Bourbon who are based in Asia. It is designed to provide seamen with the theoretical knowledge and

practical training in anchor handling operations. The centre includes a fully equipped bridge, the deck portion of the vessel and the classrooms needed for theoretical courses and debriefing.

This AHTS simulator is the second in the company after the one opened in Marseilles (France) in November 2007. These simulators have been developed by Offshore Simulator Centre (OSC) in Norway, and are an integral component of the Bourbon internal training policy.